Vaping on NHS?

[LeroyJenkins]

On the BBC news there was a piece on vaping, and how it should be available on the nhs for heavy smokers

Surely if you can afford to be a heavy smokers you can afford your own bloody vapes??? And if cake companirs want people to try their products they can give out free samples

RimskyKorsakov The eVoke was the ecig that got licensed but it has never been made or released here commercially- the company (BT) withdrew from the marketplace saying the technology was out of date. There's no money in it for them to license older inefficient products through a very expensive process when they can sell them in supermarkets/vape shops/on market stalls. I agree that having donated kits may be a way around this- the other is using voucher schemes funded from council/NHS budget.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5351331/NHS-plan-prescribe-e-cigarettes-goes-smoke.html

Yes Summersup , that's what happened with the evoke. Apologies, I was being unnecessarily pedantic.

Rimsky no apology necessary- it just indicates the lack of interest in the medical regulatory route for manufacturers, even those with billions, unlike most of the smaller vape companies.

Ridiculous suggestion to provide it on prescription. People are being rationed for cancer drugs etc etc .

Just too ridiculous.

@Mayra1367

If more people vaped instead of smoking, less people would need cancer drugs.

I just really hope that there isn’t any long term effects from vaping,

People are being rationed for cancer drugs etc etc Smoking is THE main preventable cause of cancer. Smoking is a real killer, causes all types of cancer (not just lung which is what everyone thinks of) but despite this, many many people find it incredibly hard to quit. Smoking rates are highest in the most disadvantaged groups, and poorer people are more likely to get sick than richer people, even if they both smoke.

For all these reasons, prevention is better than cure, and vaping is better than smoking. Most people pay for themselves, over 2 million have already tried it which has cost the NHS nothing so far. The question is, could a £50 voucher (for starter kit and four weeks of liquid) push someone in one of those more vulnerable groups to stop smoking? If so, it would be an overall cost effective benefit to the NHS.

""The question is, could a £50 voucher (for starter kit and four weeks of liquid) push someone in one of those more vulnerable groups to stop smoking?""

I don't believe that it would.

I think the change has got to come from the person and like weight-loss, most people are told to show willing by making changes and walking more, before they get free services. You can't push someone into stopping smoking.

I'm Obese and this has been my case. I was nearly 16 stone, I've had to lose two stone to get GP/Doctor help.

I could live on £2 a day and be Obese and we all need to eat.

Smoking doesn't compare. My DD got a simple Vape set up for a week, it was £20. It's just on £10 a packet for ciggies. Most people that I know smoke and vape, which doesn't lower the chances for health related conditions by much.

MPs have called for Vaping to be allowed at work. I can't help feeling that an agenda is starting and profit will be at the back of it.

I don’t have a problem with the NHS funding vaping if it reduces the cost of treating smoking related illnesses. But I saw in the BBC that a report released by MPs said it should be allowed on public transport which really pisses me off. I hate the rank sickly sweet smell of it, why should I have to be subjected to that in confined spaces because some loser can’t go for 5 mins without feeding their addiction?

I don’t think it should be allowed on places like public transport. I just wish it was allowed in pubs!

It's being offered as an aid to stop smoking, not as an endless repeat prescription.

Also in terms of safety, there's published national evidence showing how it's far safer than smoking (around 95% safer) so while there may be a very small risk associated with long term heavy vaping, in comparison to smoking tobacco, the choice is clear.

Hundreds of thousands of people are treated every year for serious/ fatal smoking related illness. How many recorded incidences of vaping related illness are there?

It's way too early to draw those conclusions.
We didn't realise the effects of asbestos or smoking for many many years.
I'm not disagreeing that the current picture looks very promising, but it's just to early to say 'safe' (imo)

I hate the rank, sickly smell of some people's cheap scent, they're still allowed on public transport wearing it.

I saw this too and it made my blood boil. If you can't afford to vape then don't do it but I'm not working my arse off to pay for someone to have their fix. No wonder NHS is going down

Blue lady I hate that too but it’s a completely different scenario to ask people to stop wearing fragrances vs asking them not to vape on public transport when they’ll be able to do so as soon as they’re off. You can hardly remove perfume before you get on the bus.

There was a hell of a lot more vitriol on the loose skin removal surgery thread a few months back than im seeing on here.

And if people want to lose weight they have to sort it themselves and pay to attend slimming clubs.

its very hierarchial ..............what is seen as an "acceptable" addiction and what isnt.

True. You can not wear it in the first place. I've had to get off the tube before now as the stench of cheap scent has made me feel sick.

And Willow, we're already paying for smoking cessation aids. Difference is they're not nearly as effective as vaping.

as a non-smoker I'm all for vaping as it is less disgusting than the turd sticks and also doesn't create as much litter - smokers just drop the dog end and the ash where they stand, messy skanks.

however as addiction therapy for nicotine junkies is available on the NHS, vaping should not be free. if you choose to stay addicted, pay for it. Your problem.

BTW I only said 'less disgusting' - I still don't want to share a bus with a sucky-stick user. Still smells like scented candles or perfume, nasty reek.

People have gotten used to the restrictions on smoking in public places, so I think allowing it in previously banned spaces would be a retrograde step.

Probably ok to allow it in certain sections of pubs, airports etc. My friend pops into the loos (cublicle) in the airport and vapes away. There is no residual smell, and the smoke alarms did not go off. Kept her sane whilst waiting hours for a delayed flight!

I personally have no issue with vaping, off you go, and it's great that a vast number of smokers have switched. It has to be a good thing. I also have no issue with vapers in my house either.

The smell of cigarette smoke is awful though, I think we all agree on that one!

And no, the NHS should not have it on the script list either. They don't have one for cigarettes do they, and people could afford to smoke, so they can afford to vape also, apparently the cost is tiny apart from the initial outlay, in comparison with tobacco.

Best of luck to all those who switched. Best thing ever.

Hope the Government don't end up taxing vape juice or something, but that would be stupid, meaning cigs would be the same price.

I think they should make the proper pills for stopping smoking available. Vaping is an uncertain: it might be even more harmful than the actual thing. I think NHS should be for everyone: fat, smokers, mental health, you name it, rather than setting the "right, deserving people" against "the ones who bring it upon themselves". You know, after the big corporations who avoid paying tax are zapped, there will be money for everyone.

What are these proper pills, and do they actually work or what? Never heard of them, and I am sure we all would have if they were the miracle cure for smoking.

Vaping is fine. Just the Government worrying about lower excise receipts because more people are ditching tobacco.

I started vaping nearly 2 years ago with the help of MN vapers. My DH also started at the same time when he had no intention of doing so as it was a special offer in the vape shop at the time for 2 starter kits.

DH had smoked for nearly 30 years and had never attempted to stop. He has not touched a cigarette since which I find amazing especially as I have not managed the same! Our health has greatly improved.

Vaping costs us a fortune. We vape far too much, it's a habit but we enjoy it. I love not smelling of cigarette smoke. That was embarrassing and the catalyst to stop.

I don't really agree about it being funded on the NHS, although the starter kit would be a good idea if it was found to be successful after a trial.

I occasionally vape in pubs, they tend to turn a blind eye to it.